Accessibility Strategy for Disabled Pupils

You can check our Accessibility Strategy to find out whether you are entitled to any financial help or travel options in getting your child or young person with SEND to and from school

It is the responsibility of parents or carers to ensure that their children attend an educational setting. This includes the necessary travel arrangements to and from the setting.

There may be some help with school travel if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The majority of children do not need and do not receive travel assistance.

There is no automatic entitlement to travel assistance for a child or young person with an EHCP. Although, the Borough has a duty and powers to make particular travel arrangements for a child with SEND. This makes it easier for them to attend an appropriate education provision. They must meet the criteria as set out in our SEND Transport Policy.

According to schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 all local authorities must have an Accessibility Strategy for Disabled Pupils for the schools they are responsible for. This helps make sure that we:

increase the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in schools’ curriculums;

improve the physical environment of schools. This increases the extent to which disabled pupils are able to take advantage of education and benefits, facilities or services provided or offered by schools;

improve the delivery of information to disabled pupils which is readily accessible to pupils who are not disabled.

All maintained schools publish an Accessibility Plan on their website.

This strategy doesn't apply to Academies in our area. They will review and publish their own Accessibility Plans on their websites. To find out more look on your school’s website or talk to someone at the school directly.

General transport accessibility strategy for Dorset

Working with the Borough of Poole and Dorset council we have a Local Transport Plan. This has a general accessibility strategy for the county. This includes our plans for improving public transport and travel routes for people with disabilities and young people.